LSAT 118 | Section 4 | Logical Reasoning: Q21

LR Question 21 Explanation

QUESTION TEXT: Etiquette firmly opposes both obscene and malicious talk …

QUESTION TYPE: Principle – Application

PRINCIPLE: Sometimes, it’s not appropriate to express offensive, disturbing or controversial ideas. When it is appropriate, they should be discussed in a civil way.

ANALYSIS: The stimulus rejects the idea that etiquette requires censorship. Instead, it says:

• Offensive ideas are sometimes appropriate to discuss.
• The discussion should occur in the proper setting.
• The discussion should be civil.
• Etiquette opposes malicious conduct like insults and obscenity.

We’re asked for the situation that applies this principle. The easiest way to think about it is: Does the answer allow controversial ideas to be discussed while prohibiting uncivil behavior?

That’s exactly what the principle supports. It does not support banning controversial ideas, restricting speech by law, or avoiding difficult topics altogether.

___________

1. This is about ordinary friendliness between neighbors. It does involve civility, but it has nothing to do with the expression of potentially offensive or controversial ideas, which is the focus of the principle.
2. Intensive questioning doesn’t clearly fall within offensive, disturbing, or controversial ideas. And if it does, the stimulus didn’t tell us to avoid it. It said to do it in a civil manner. You can be intense, but still civil.
3. The stimulus explicitly rejects the idea that offensive speech should necessarily be restricted.
4. The stimulus says controversial ideas may be discussed when appropriate. A news conference is often exactly the sort of setting where controversial questions should be raised. Here, the principle would just tell the journalist to be civil while asking the question.
5. CORRECT. A panel discussion of a divisive moral issue is an appropriate setting for controversial ideas. The answer does not prohibit discussion of the issue. Instead, it prohibits name-calling, which is exactly the sort of uncivil conduct that etiquette opposes.